The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-22
A NUNS STORY.
Describing Life in a Convent-Given a Wash
tub When She Asked for q Prie-Dieu.


New York Herald
Miss Allcards case is of more than ordinary in
terest In connection with religious vows and has
come before the courts in London. The demand
was for relief or the recovery Of money and
stocks given by Miss Allcard to Miss Skinner
mother superior of Episcopal convent, known
the Sisters of the Poor" or Sisters of ST.
Mary at the Cross" The story is somewhat
romantic one. Miss Allcard was entitled by her
fathers will to a sum of about fS. 900 $40 000)
absolutely; to further sum of like amount for
life. with power of disposition by will only,
and to the income of $4,000 1925. 00O) over which
she had no power of disposition at all.
In 1858, Miss Skinner, then thirty five years
of age. moved from some reason or other to de-
vote herself to a religious life consulted some
clergymen, who introduced her to the Rev. Mr.
Mill, man who. in spite of his name, the
judge somewhat facetiously pnt II, WAS of some
Importance in the case. Mr. Ninil had recently
come from Manchester and had been installed as
vicar of ST. Michaels, Finsburv. Along with
Miss Skinner. or. as she was called, Sister Mont
ca, he was engaged in founding the above named
institution, the principal building of which is in
Mark street, Finsbury, branch establishments
being near Edgeware, Potters Bar and Buthey
In July. 1863 Miss Allcard became an asso-
cate; in January. 1870, she was admitted post
ulant,' and in August, 1871, she became full
member of the sisterhood 1t was condition
Of the sisterhood that the postulant should make
a will, the avowed object being, not the benefit
of the institution, but the pauperizing Of the
and with the objects of the association, and In
spired, as she believed she was, with noble
purpose, Miss Allcard not only made a will. but
made over to Miss Skinner the income of her
fortune and the capital sum received on the dis
tribution of her fathers estates. 600
Love, it appears, does not run more smoothly
in convent than it does in the outside world.
Human nature is human nature wherever you
find it, and sanctity and the joys which are sup
posed to accompany religious life most
easily believed regarding those whose lives are
most hid from our views. At all events. things
began to be less agreeable than they were at the
outset.
When the first burst of enthusiasm had died
away it was found that there nothing in the
actual situation to compensate for the sacrifices
which had been made Some of the rules were
hard. One penance was to sit silent in q chair
doing nothing all day long for six successive
weeks Another was to kneel before a crucfx
for an hour. Yet another was to be set to an
unconscionable amount of washing and scrub
bing
Miss Allcard, having become somewhat tired
| of her Imprisonment and Of the WAYS of the in
strution, and having expressed desire to leave.
was given to understand that her VOWS ended
| put to the washtub. where she was kept from
| in the morning till at night for period of
| three months. Of this institution, in which
there are now thirteen sisters besides asso-
ciates, and whose main occupation is nursing
sick children, Mr.. Mill is director, father con
| fessor treasurer and auditor.
| In May, 1879 after eight years of conventual
experience, Miss Allcard left the institution for
good. She had on more than one occasion man
| aged to escape, but Qualms OF conscience regard
| ing her vows always carried her back. Immed
| ately on her leaving she sought rest by joinin G
! the Church of Rome.
| A popularity of the case, on which Mr.. Justice
Kekewltch laid great stress WAS that Miss All
card made no effort to recover her property un-
til April. 1884, several years after she had ceased
| to have any connection with the sisterhood. The
| viii, Of course, could be revoked and that was
done.
| The suit was brought to recover the gifts OF
money and of property The Solicitor genera
| argued the case for the defendant, and Sill
Charless Russell attended to the interests o.
| Miss Allcard.
In summing up Justice Kekewitch showed thai
| no undue influence had been brought TO bea:
| upon the plaintiff that she was a cornpeten
person; that she made the gifts of her own fret
will; that the time she had allowed to elapse be
fore attempting to reclaim was to be regarded al
her own recognition of the validity Of the gift
that the money was spent and could not be re
turned and that in regard to the only remain
ing point, the gift of the capital of her property
railway shares. etc. he could only rule inability
to reclaim. His Judgment, therefore. was To-
the defendant, with costs The case has beef
appealed
| 1t appears that Miss Merriman, since Mis-
Allcard left the sisterhood, contrived 10 get GU
of Miss SINNERS control, and to recover he
money as we'll. Miss Allcard, in consequence, il
not without sympathizers and there are thos
who think that in higher court the presen
Judgment will be reversed, so far. at least, a
the recovery of the property is concerned
There are many and grave reasons, however
why gifts of this kind should not be readable
The case puts associations of this kind i
rather an unpleasant light, and it may have tn
effect of compelling youthful enthusiasts t
think twice before they sacrifice liberty an
property for an unknown equivalent. Con
ventual attractions are not likely to be great
improved in the estimation of we'll br ed sestheti
ladies by these washtub drudgery association